Heat seek revenge against Wizards

(Sports Network) - The Miami Heat will look to avenge their unexpected loss
earlier this month to the Washington Wizards on Saturday when the two sides
meet in South Beach.

The Wizards upset on Dec. 4 was only their second win of the season. The game
took place in Washington and Miami will look to erase that 105-101 loss from
its memory.

The Heat will head into Saturday night's contest after a home loss to the
suddenly surging Golden State Warriors. Draymond Green made a layup with less
than a second left to give the Warriors another great road win, their fifth in
a row.

LeBron James injured his shoulder against the Warriors, but promised to be on
the floor Saturday.

"It'll be sore tomorrow," James said after Wednesday's loss. "I'll be ready
for Saturday. It's automatic."

James scored 31 points in defeat and Chris Bosh chipped in 21 points and 13
rebounds. Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen both had 14 points.

The Heat are the fifth-highest scoring team in the NBA, but 21st in opponents'
scoring.

The Wizards are only 1-4 since their massive upset and on Friday, they fell to
the Los Angeles Lakers, 102-96, at home. The Wiz shot 50 percent from the
field in the first half and trailed by only three.

The second half was a different story, a worse story. The Wizards only managed
14 points in the third quarter and Kobe Bryant heated up. It all led to the
Wizards, who fought back and won the final frame by eight, once again falling
in defeat.

The Wizards also did themselves in with 19 turnovers that led to 26 points for
the Lakers.

Cartier Martin led Washington with 21 points off the bench. It was a great
night for the reserves as Kevin Seraphin had 16 and Nene chipped in 17. The
Washington bench out-scored its starters, 58-38.

"We played a good game; unfortunately we didn't play two strong halves of
basketball," said Martin. "Our shots didn't fall when we needed them too. The
defense picked up, but the Lakers made tough shots. That's something that you
can live with because the intensity remained even when we were down."

The Heat own the most wins in their franchise history against the Wizards, but
Washington has owned the Heat lately. After losing six straight to the
defending champion, the Wizards have won the last three contests between the
two.

The Heat are 10-2 at home and the Wizards are 1-9 outside the nation's
capital.